Great Wyoming Buffalo Stampede to celebrate 40th year

Thursday

"The Best Little Race in America" offers 10-kilometer and five-kilometer courses July 21

On Saturday, July 21 one of Delaware’s greatest traditions, the Great Wyoming Buffalo Stampede will celebrate its 40th anniversary.

The 10k/5k race, organized by the DDSR or Downstate Delaware Striders and Riders, brings together some of Delaware’s most dedicated runners while also welcoming in newcomers to be a part of the annual event.

The DDSR are an organization created in Kent County Delaware, made up of runners and cyclists of all ages and abilities. As always, this year’s race will benefit the DDSR Memorial Scholarship which is awarded each year to a local Kent County high school student.

As described by one of the original organizers of the race in a short history written by Frank Fantini, the annual Buffalo Stampede began 40 years ago when a group of runners decided to have some adult beverages at Brown’s Wyoming Tavern after a run to Marydel and back.

According to Fantini, one runner proclaimed, “You know, the best road races end at taverns.”

“With those words, the Great Wyoming Buffalo Stampede was born,” Fantini wrote. “It was almost that easy.”

“I immediately responded that my friend Frank DiMondi had expressed interest in sponsoring a race. We both knew he owned a herd of Buffalo. Immediately the image was clear: a race through orchards and Amish countryside ending at a tavern in an historic railroad town, matching the Western images of Wyoming and buffalo.”

This year, racers have the option of participating in either a 5k run/walk or a 10k run. Both courses offer mostly paved roads through orchards and scenic countryside.

Handcrafted wooden Buffalo Awards will go to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place male and female runners broken down by five-year age groups starting at age 10 and under all the way to 70 and over. Also, awards will be given to the top five male and female finishers of the 5k walk.

The race will also feature chip timing, which is able to precisely measure race results and is a better alternative to gun-timing which is typically used in races.

Coined as the “Best Little Race in American” by those who participate yearly, the Buffalo Stampede will return to its roots this year as the race will be followed by a post-race party at Brown’s Wyoming Tavern where food, beer and other non-alcoholic beverages will be served.

Registration is $25 for the 5k and $30 for the 10k race; registration can be completed online at active.com or ddsr.org/buffalo-stampede. Day-off registration will also be accepted.

Members of the Military qualify for a special $20 rate for registration with military identification.

The 40th annual Great Wyoming Buffalo Stampede will take place on Saturday, July 21 beginning at 8 a.m. at Wyoming Park in Wyoming, Delaware.